Ran into a decent deal on a 350 LE ext cab auto with 172k miles. Grew up working on diesels but havent messed around much with the first gen cummins.

I stopped by an took a quick peak at it tonight. Body is in decent shape with no rust with normal paint fade. Popped the hood an it looks like it got a brand new IP on it.

Question is how far can you push the tranny in these things powerwise till you have to upgrade? Also do they have a lockup TC?

Seemed like the IC pipes were awful small, where does the stock IC start limiting you powerwise?

Was this a year the injectors limited fuel flow?


Thanks for any an all info.

 

These trannies don't even like stock power much less any upgrades. The IC were very small on these trucks but as for limiting power I don't know exactly where that would be. These truck do not have a TC lockup and the stockers are very sloppy which limits the ability of the cummins to put down power.

 

So whats a decent tranny going to set me back? Or will a converter an VB do it?

Its not going to be a superhigh HP setup, if I can get it in the 300-350 range it will do what I want out of it.

 

Depends on useage as well. 350rwhp might let the tranny live for daily driving, light hot rodding etc, but I don't know how long it would survive towing a trailer of some weight. Probly not long.
I've made 450rwhp with a stock 1st gen intercooler. I would guess they are good for 350-400rwhp.

 

That isnt to bad then, I dont see much need to push it much past the mid 300s hpwise, if I wanted big HP cheap Id get an inline pump.

Dont tow much, just to move my tracter on the rare occasion is about all I need.

I just want enough to make it a little more fun to drive an hang with most of the newer diesels.

With that being said it sounds like a decent converter an a VB kit would probably work for what I need.

Good place to get a TC for one?

 

See my sig. That setup has been towing a 7500# fifth wheel about 50,000 miles and doing the occasional smoke-out of a ricer.

No lockup, but the stiffer TC helps both power and mileage & the VB lets you use the power.

Note the 308rwhp & 668rwtq; sometime in the future, I'll do something with the turbo's compressor for more air.

Regards, DBF

 

Thats good to see, pretty much the same mods/Hp range Id probably be in. What kind of economy are you getting with that setup?

 

Went an drove it tonight, everything works in it, pw pl ac overdrive etc. I was surprised that it was as peppy as it was, I didnt remember the old 1gens were that good. Nice two tone blue-gray with some faded paint.

Dude wants $4300 for it....deal or no deal?

 

I get 17 around town, 20 on the road, 12 towing.

I'd go for it.

Regards, DBF

 

Deal. But try to talk him down some anyhow.

 

That was down, I think he is good for a few more hun though, just got to let him sweat a few days.

 

Must be nice to let him sweat a little. Out here if you do not call and arrive first you are S.O.L. I've been trying to buy a first gen for a year now. Always an hour late or the truck is junk. Thought I found a couple prospects yesterday but I'm looking for a 91.5-93 with an intercooler now since we got the boy a 7.3l idi for the meantime and the two trucks were early 91 4x4's.

 

My day job title is *Professional Sales Consultant* at a Chevy dealership so I see a lot of stuff available that many may not.

 

Around here, you let him sweat a few minutes, and somebody will be driving off in that truck.

If you want it, you better get it, or it will be gone.